Vacuum cleaner



Oct. 18, 1938. o. M. Dow ET AL 2,133,741

VAGUUM CLEANER Filed Jan. 11, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEY Oct. 18, 1938. o. M. DOW El AL VACUUM CLEANER Filed Jan. 11 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS 05b t) M. 00W BY Zy/m ll l7r4 W F TTORNEY Oct. 18, 1938. D. M. new ET AL 2,133,741

VACUUM CLEANER Filed Jan. 11, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS 05105 fil. Don [III/7 bflaffq ORNE Patented Oct. 18, 1938 PATENT OFFICE VACUUM CLEANER Dewey at Dow and man. Lotta, Toledo, Ohio,

asslgnors to Air-Way Electric Appliance Corporatlon, l.oledo, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Application January 11, um. Serial N6. 119,953

10 Claims.

This invention relates to vacuum cleaners of the type wherein the fan case is rigidly attached to the handle to swing therewith relative to the suction chamber, and has as its object to pro- 5 vide in such a cleaner an arrangement wherein the tan case swings around the axis of the motor which drives the fan, whereby a belt drive from the motor to the fan, unaffected by theswinging movement. may be employed.

: Another obiect is to provide a cleaner of the type having a' fan case disposed with its axis transverse to the direction of cleaner travel, wherein the necessary inlet elbow connecting the fancasetothesuctionchambencanbereadily =15 cleaned out if it should become clogged.

Another object of the invention is to provide a suction cleaner having a novel arrangement for eil'ecting the attachment of auxiliary tools.

, wherein the movement of the handle to an inopso erative position (upstanding) causes the fan case inlet neclr'to become released from its connection with the suction chamber, so that auxiliary tools may be connected directly to the neck, and wherein movement of the handle back to normal a operating position causes the neck to become coupled with the outlet throat of the suction chamber.

' Further objects will appear in the perusal of the following detailed description of the invenso tion in connection with the accompanying draw- ;ings in which: v

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a cleaner embodying the invention. one end of the floor tool being shown in section, to better illustrate the con- 35 struction, a

Fig. 2 is a similar view. the motor cover and visor also being shown in section,

Fig. 8 is a similar view, the fan case inlet neck and suction chamber outlet throat also being 40 shown in section,

Fig. 4 is a detailed sectional view through adjacent walls of the telescoping regions of fan case inlet neck and suction chamber outlet throat,

Fig. 5 is a rear elevation of the cleaner, the

45 rear walis'being omitted to better illustrate the construction.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the same, the motor saver and adjacent parts being shown in secso Fig. '1 is a view similar to Fig. .2 of a modified form of the invention. and

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of this modified form, the handle and fan case being in raised position and an attachment tool being shown coupled to the fan case inlet neck.

The invention provides a suction chamber l0 including an agitator chamber Ii having a carpet engaging mouth I! and one or more rear-. wardly and upwardly curved outlet throats II, the upper regions of which as at H are disposed 5 arcuately circumferential with respect to the shaft lie of the motor it which is mounted in the depression formed in the top of the suction A rotary agitator I8 is mounted in the agitator i0 chamber Ii and is driven by a belt I'I connecting the shaft It to the rotary agitator IS.

The belt I! is housed within a belt housing It attached to the top of the suction chamber iii and projecting upwardly therefrom. A removll able end plate It, attachable to the belt housing I! gives access to the belt ll (see Fig. 5).

The belt housing I 8 is located near one end of the agitator chamber ii. Near the other end of the chamber ii is an upwardly projecting ear 20 of' the same shape and proportions as the housing l8 giving symmetry to the appearance of the cleaner. The car 20 and housing I 8 both function as brackets to support the forward end of the motor cover II. The latter is provided in its side walls with openings receiving trunnions 22 (Fig. 6) projecting inwardly from the respective members l8 and 20. Through the side opening in the belt housing side, the shaft l4 projects into the belt housing without touching the trunplans 22 at any point.

The car 20 and housing Ill are connected by a visor 23. The forward region of the motor cover 2i is arcuate as at 24, coaxial with the shaft l4,

and shaped to fit just inside the visor 23 without as touching the same at any point.

The visor 23 has a light opening (not shown) and there is a reflecting hood 25 just above said opening. A head-lamp 26 is mounted in a suitable lamp mounting 21 secured to the top of the agitator-chamber II, and is positioned to direct rays of light through the opening below the hood 25..

The bridge members 28, formed integrally with the suction chamber I ll, on which the motor I! is mounted through the medium of resilient mountings 28, extend only part way across the depression in the top of the suction chamber Ill. being cut away at their forward ends to provide space wherein the arcuate portions of the cover may rotate within the visor 2 3 to a position indicated in the dotted lines. in which position the cover 2| projects upwardly.

We provide a fan case 28 rigidly secured between 0. pair of elbow inlet necks 30 the lower regions 3| of which are arcuate and disposed circumferentially of the shaft I, the necks 30 being mounted for swinging movement around the shaft H by means of arms 32 secured to the fan case 29 and preferably formed integrally with the elbows 30. The arms 32 are pivoted upon the sleeve 23 which has the bearings 34 in which rotates the shaft l4.

A belt connects the pulleys 36 and 31 on the shaft I4 of the motor and the shaft 38 of the fan respectively. The cover 2| extends over this belt 25 and over the necks 30. the central area of its rear region being cut away as at 39 to receive the fan case 29, leaving two bifurcated portions, one on either side of the fan case, housing the respective necks 30.

The lower rear extremities of these bifurcated portions are provided with indentations Ii) recelving buttons II, the latter mounted in rubber cushions 42 which in turn are attached to the necks 30. The cushions l2 dampen vibrations which otherwise would be transmitted from the necks to the cover 2|.

By the use of a little pressure, the indentations can be released from the buttons II and the entire cover may then be swung upwardly away from the necks 30, uncovering the belts 85. so as to give access to the latter. Normally, however, the motor cover 2| moves as a unit with the fan case 29 and the handle 43 which is rigidly attached thereto, the entire unit swinging around the axis of the shaft ll. In this relation, the handle, fan case and cover may be swung to an inoperative position where the handle is upstanding. The position is practically the same for the fan case and arms 32 as that shown in Fig. 8 of the other form of the invention, and allows the direct attachment of an auxiliary cleaning tool including a hose 4 and a coupling member 45 insertable into one or both of the necks 20. In the latter case, the coupling member would be bifurcated.

It will now be seen that in order to effect conversion from on-floor to off-floor it is only necessary to lift the handle and insert the coupling member.

The connection between the telescoping portions I4 and 3| of the'suctlon chamber outlet throat and fan case inlet neck respectively is sealed by means of a rubber sealing ring 46 secured in the mouth of the member 3| and engaging against the outer surface of the member ll. This sealing ring in cross section is triangularshaped, its inner surface flaring downwardly and outwardly and its free edge forming the engaging portion. As a result of this flared construction, when the handle is lowered from an inoperative position to a position where the throat H commences to enter the neck 3|, such entrance will be facilitated by the bell-shaped opening which is thus formed by the inner surface of the ring 46.

The arm 48, pivoted upon a stud 49 on the side of the motor l3 urged upwardly by a coil spring 50, and engaging at its upper end a roller 5| which engages the lower edge of the neck 3|], serves to partially balance the weight of the fan case and the handle so that the hand of the operator is relieved of a considerable portion of the load thereof.

It will now be noted that in the normal operation of the cleaner, with the handle approximately in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the cleaner may be pushed back and forth, the handle and fan case rising and falling slightly in accordance with variations in the weight of the operator's hand caused by the arcuate path of swing of the operator's arm from the shoulder, and that the region 3| of the necks 30 will correspondingly telescope with respect to the region II of the throat i3.

When it is desired to clean under low fumiture, the handle 43 may be depressed to a position almost parallel to the floor, the region ll of the throat being allowed to move upwardly into the neck 30 until it substantially contacts the top wall 52 thereof. This'inovement will bring the fan case down to the level of 'the top of the motor thereby giving minimum clearance height.

The arcuate shape of the regions I4 and 3| allows this telescoping to occur.

When it is desired to store the cleaner or to use the accessories, the handle is simply lifted, and the telescoping regions are freely separated from each other. This is preferably done when the machine is not running.

The arm 48 serves not only to take a-portion of the weight of the handle and fan case away from the hand of the operator but also serves to oppose the action of the suction within the throat i3 and neck 30 tending to draw the two members together.

In the form shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the construction is the same with the exception of the cover 2| which in this case is hinged at 52 to the top of the agitator chamber I I, and is slidingly engaged against a pair of rubber buil'er elements 53 one of which is secured to the top of each elbow 80. As the handle is raised, the buffer 53 will swing upwardly and forwardly, lifting the cover 2| and sliding forward with respect thereto until. in the forward limit of movement of the handle the buflers will catch beneath an indentation 54 in the cover 2 I, thus serving the secondary function of locking the parts in the raised position, all as shown in Fig. 8.

The buffers 53 serve to dampen vibrations which otherwise would be transmitted to 'the cover 2|. The cover 2| is resiliently urged against the buflers 53 at all times with a force considerably greater than that of gravity, by a coil spring 55, one end of which is attached to the cover 2|, and the other end of which is attached to the neck 30. The spring 55, being under tension at all times, tends, when the handle is in the normal position, to urge the neck 30 forwardly with respect to the cover 2|. The resultant of this force is a tendency to lift the handle and fan case unit. As a result a substantial portion of the weight of the handle and fan case is balanced or neutralized. When the handle is in the raised position, however, the spring functions merely to hold the cover in engagement with the buffers 53 so as to restrain the handle and fan case unit against accidental movement back to normal position. When it is desired to ref release the handle-fan-case unit from its inoperative position theoperator may simply lift slightly upon the cover 2| and the buffers 53 clear the indentation 54.

In this form of the invention, the side walls of the cover 2| are provided with arcuate slots 56 to receive the shaft M.

This form of the invention also incorporates a vibration absorbing finger 51 which is secured to the top of the suction chamber l0, and resiliently presses against the underside of the cover 2| near the hinge 52. As the cover is lowered into its normal position, the finger 51 is placed under distortion, 1. e., bent laterally from its unstralned position. The parts are so arranged that the area's-u nnger ill will remain under distortion through the relatively small arc of normal movement 01' the handle in cleaning position. Being made oi flexible rubber it readily yields so as not to inflict any appreciable resistance against the movement oi the parts in normal cleaning operations. This. particular feature of construction is usable not only in connection with the present invention where the cover has a slight amount oi movement during normal cleaning operations but also in connection with any arrangement in which the cover is hinged so that it may be lifted with respect to the body of the cleaner. Such a oonstruction is ot advantage in connection with an arrangement-wherein the axis 0! the Ian case remains stationary with respect to the suction chamber, the cover being raisabie around its hinge so as to give access to the belts for example.

We claim as our invention:

'1. In a vacuum cleaner, a suction chamber, a

motor mounted thereon, its axis horizontal-and transverse to the direction of cleaner movement, a fan case displaced from the axis of said motor and mounted for movement around the axis of said motor. a fan and a tan shaft rotatably. mounted in said case, means to transmit power -from said motor to said fan and fan shalt and a handle rigidly attached to said fan case.

is attached said suction chamber having an outlet and said fan case having an inlet arranged to telescopically connect with said outlet when the handle is in a normal cleaning position, andto be disconnected from said outlet when the handle is raised to an upstanding, inoperative position, said fan case inlet being adapted to receive auxiliary cleaning tools when the handle is in said inoperative position.

2. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 1, including a motor and drive cover the forward region of which is pivotally mounted with respect to said motor axis, and the rear region of-which to the fan case so as to move therewith. V

8.Avacuumcleanerassetforthinclaim1, including a motor and drive cover the forward region of which is pivotally mounted with respect to said motor axis, and the rear region of which- 'isattachedtothefanca'sesoastomovetherewith, the attachment or said cover to the fan case being releasable so as to allow said cover to be lifted away from the fan case to uncover said drive element. 4

4. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in-claim 1,

. including a motor and drive cover the forward region 01 whiohis pivotally mounted with respect to said motor axis, and the rear region oi which is attached to the Ian caseso as to move therewith, the forward region of said cover being arcuate and disposed coaidally with the motor axis, and a visor projecting upwardly trom the suction chamber receiving said arcuate, region. the latter being adapted'to move between the motor and the visor as the cover is swung up- -5. A- vacuum cleanenas set forth in claim 1 including "a motor and drive-cover theiorward 2,1ss,741.-D M. Dow and Patent ated October ee, Air-Wag spect to said motor axis, and the rear region of which is attached to the fan case so as to move therewith, the iorward region of said cover being arcuate and disposed coaxially with the motor axis, a visor projecting upwardly from the suction chamber receiving said arcuate region, the latter being adapted to move between the motor and the visor as the cover is swung upwardly, said visor forming, together with the motor and the top ,of the suction chamber, a space or triangular cross section, and a. headlamp disposed in said space.

6. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 1,

' including a motor and drive cover the forward region of which is pivotally mounted with respect to said motor axis, and the rear region of which is attached to the tan case so as to move therewith, the i'orward region of said cover being arcuate and disposed coaxially with the motor axis, a visor projecting upwardly from. the suction chamber receiving said arcuate region. the latter being adapted to move between the mo-. tor and the visor as the-cover is swung upwardly, said visor forming, together with the motor and the top of the suction chamber, a space of triangular cross section. a headlamp disposed in said space, and s. reflecting hood on said visor, an aperture being formed in the visor below said hood to permit passage of light from said headlamp.

'i. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 1, including a motor and drive cover the forward region of which is pivotallymounted with respect to said motor axis, and the rear region of which is attached to the tan case so as to move therewith, the attachment of said cover to the tan case including a cushioning element to damp-- raising of the tan case.

9. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 1, wherein one oi said telescopically connected parts is provided with a flexible sealing ring enga eahle with the other of said parts to provide an air ti ht connection.

10. In a vacuum cleaner, a suction chamber.

.a motor mounted thereon, its axis horizontal and transverse to the direction .oiclcaner travel, a

ran case mounted for swinging movement around the axis of said motor, a handle rigidly attached to said fan case, said suction chamber having an outlet throat andsaid in case having an inlet neck, said throat and not]: having arcuate portions disposed cireumferentially with respect to said motor axis and telescopically engaged with each other to allow said handle to move up and down while maintaining a closed air e from said suction chamber to said fan case.

, DEWEY M. DOW. Limit 11. LA'ITA.

-DISOLAIMEIi-2 Lynn H..Lciia, Toledo, Ohio. VACUUM om I8 193 Disclaimer filed October 26, 1939, by tlfe Electric Appliance Corporation. erelg enters this disclaimer to claim final-Gazette November 21, 1989.]

10 in said specification,

area's-u nnger ill will remain under distortion through the relatively small arc of normal movement oi the handle in cleaning position. Being made oi flexible rubber it readily yields so as not to inflict 6 any appreciable resistance against the movement oi the parts in normal cleaning operations. This. particular feature of construction is usable not only in connection with the present invention where the cover has a slight amount oi move- 10 ment during normal cleaning operations but also in connection with any arrangement in which the cover is hinged so that it may be lifted with respect to the body of the cleaner. Such a oonstruction is ot advantage in connection with an 5 arrangement-wherein the axis the Ian case remains stationary with respect to the suction chamber, the cover being raisable around its hinge so as to give access to the belts for example.

We claim as our invention:

20. '1. In a vacuum cleaner, a suction chamber, a

motor mounted thereon, its axis horizontal-and transverse to the direction of cleaner movement,

a fan case displaced from the axis of said motor and mounted for movement around the 5 axis of said motor. a fan and a tan shaft rotatably. mounted in said case, means to transmit power -from said motor to said fan and fan shalt and a handle rigidly attached to said fan case.

said suction chamber having an outlet and said so fan case having an inlet arranged to telescopically connect with said outlet when the handle is in a normal cleaning position, andto be disconnected from said outlet when the handle is raised to an upstanding, inoperative position, said fan 35 case inlet being adapted to receive auxiliary cleaning tools when the handle is in said inoperative position.

2. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 1,

including a motor and drive cover the forward 40 region of which is pivotally mounted with respect to said motor axis, and the rear region of-which i; attached to the fan case so as to move there- 8.Avacuumcleanerassetforthinclaim1,

including a motor and drive cover the forward 35, region of which is pivotally mounted with respect to said motor axis, and the rear region of which- 'isattachedtothefanca'sesoastomovetherewith, the attachment of said cover to the fan case being releasable so as to allow said cover to be lifted away from the fan case to uncover said drive element. 4

4. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in-ciaim 1, including a motor and drive cover the forward region of whiohis pivotally mounted with respect to said motor axis, and the rear region oi which is attached to the Ian caseso as to move therewith, the forward region of said cover being arcuate and disposed coaidally with the motor 0 axis, and a visor projecting upwardly trom the suction chamber receiving said arcuate, region. the latter being adapted'to move between the motor and the visor as the cover is swung upas 5.A-vacuumc1eanerassetiorthinclaim1. including "a motor and drive-cover theiorward 2,1ss,741.-D M. Dow and Patent ated October ee, Air-Wag region or which is pivotally mounted with respect to said motor axis, and the rear region of which is attached to the fan case so as to move therewith, the iorward region of said cover being arcuate and disposed coaxially with the motor axis, a visor projecting upwardly from the suction chamber receiving said arcuate region, the latter being adapted to move between the motor and the visor as the cover is swung upwardly, said visor forming, together with the motor and the top ,of the suction chamber, a space of triangular cross section, and a. headlamp disposed in said space.

6. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 1,

' including a motor and drive cover the forward region of which is pivotally mounted with respect to said motor axis, and the rear region of which is attached to the tan case so as to move therewith, the i'orward region of said cover being arcuate and disposed coaxlally with the motor axis, a visor projecting upwardly from. the suction chamber receiving said arcuate region. the latter being adapted to move between the mo-. tor and the visor as the-cover is swung upwardly, said visor forming, together with the motor and the top of the suction chamber, a space of triangular cross section. a headlamp disposed in said space, and s. reflecting hood on said visor, an aperture being formed in the visor below said hood to permit passage of light from said headlamp.

'i. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 1, including a motor and drive cover the forward region of which is pivotallymounted with respect to said motor axis, and the rear region of which is attached to the tan case so as to move therewith, the attachment of said cover to the tan case including a cushioning element to damp-- en vibrations set up in said motor and'ian case.

8. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 1. including a motor cover pivoted to the top oi the suction chamber forwardly of the motor, the rear region of said cover being slidably engaged ainst a member attached to the fan case so thattheccverwillbelittedinnnison withthe raising of the fan case.

9. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 1, wherein one oi said telescopically connected parts is provided with a flexible sealing ring enga eahle with the other of said parts to provide an air ti ht connection.

10. In a vacuum cleaner, a suction chamber.

.a motor mounted thereon, its axis horizontal and transverse to the direction .oicleaner travel, a

tan case mounted for swinging movement around the axis of said motor, a handle rigidly attached to said fan case, said suction chamber having an outlet throat andsaid in case having an inlet neck, said throat and neck having arcuate portions disposed cireumferentially with respect to said motor axis and telescopically engaged with each other to allow said handle to move up and down while maintaining a closed air e from said suction chamber to said fan case.

. DEWEY M. DOW. Limit 11. ul'rrA.

-DISOLAIMEIi-2 Lynn H..Lciia, Toledo, Ohio. VACUUM om I8 193 Disclaimer filed October 26, 1939, by tlfe Electric Appliance Corporation. erelg enters this disclaimer to claim final-Gazette November 21, 1989.]

10 in said specification, 

